For the first time in
13 years, a window may be opening — albeit a narrow one —
for developers to build in Prince William County’s 80,000-acre
preservation area, known as the Rural Crescent.

Peter Candland, Republican
nominee for Gainesville District supervisor, acknowledges his election
Nov. 8 in the GOP-heavy district may be a game changer for Prince
William development policy. He is seeking to replace Republican
Supervisor John Stirrup, a vigorous supporter of the Rural Crescent
who ran for state Senate but lost in the primary.

Candland’s opponent
is Democrat Ann Wheeler, who signed a pledge committing to oppose
development in the Rural Crescent for at least the next four years.

As it stands today, the
eight-member Board of County Supervisors is split between those
willing to consider Rural Crescent-related comprehensive plan amendments
and those generally opposed to them. A proposed amendment must be
initiated by the board before it can even be reviewed by county
staff; a 4-4 tie is the same as a “no.”

If Candland wins, that
would suggest five supervisors would at least be willing to listen
to a proposal for development in the preservation area. The opportunity
is unprecedented: Only one major Rural Crescent development proposal,
Brookfield Homes’ 180-acre Avendale along Vint Hill and Nokesville
roads, has been approved in 13 years.

In 2000, Prince William citizens, concerned with protecting
the integrity of the Rural Crescent and its associated community
benefits, formed the Advocates for the Rural Crescent. We are a
bipartisan organization comprised of community members throughout
Prince William County.

The Rural Crescent stands as Prince William County’s unique
land use tool. It is not merely a means of conserving open space,
but just as importantly, it is a critical tool that directs high
density development to areas where infrastructure is already in
place and encourages redevelopment in targeted areas, such as the
Route 1 corridor.
We all have a vested interest in Prince William County and the viability
of the Rural Crescent. In the spirit of that endeavor, we invite
all candidates – new and incumbent candidates who have honored
previous pledges – to clarify their position by signing a
pledge to uphold the Rural Crescent, as described in the Prince
William County Comprehensive Plan.

We are pleased to announce that most candidates running for seats
on the Prince William County Board of Supervisors have signed our
pledge, committing to uphold the Rural Crescent and signaling their
support for better managed growth Countywide. These candidates include:
Board Chairman – John Gray (I), Babur Lateef (D)
Gainesville District – Martha Hendley(R), Ann Wheeler(D),
Suzanne Miller(R), Michael High (R).
Brentsville District – Jeanine Lawson(R)
Coles District – Bob Pugh(R), Anthony Arnold(D)
Occoquan District – Mike May (Reaffirmation) Republican
Woodbridge District –Frank Principi (Reaffirmation)Democrat
To honor these candidates, we will hold a press conference on August
4th, 2 pm at the McCoart Government Center, 1 County Complex, Woodridge,
VA.

This
is an opportunity for the candidates to speak to the issue and for
citizens to have chance to meet the candidates who are committed
to balanced growth in Prince William County. The August 23rd primary
is a critical opportunity to support balanced growth candidates.
Advocates for the Rural Crescent welcomes the partnership of Prince
William Citizens for Balanced Growth. The mission of Prince William
Citizens for Balanced Growth is to work with local officials and
citizens to balance traffic, taxes, job growth, public school, and
quality-of-life issues with residential growth. The Rural Crescent
plays an integral roles in all these issues.

In
order to protect the Rural Crescent in Prince William County,
we must join together to educate everyone about the important role the
Rural Crescent plays in the quality of life in the County. To that end
we are organizing ARC -- Advocates for the Rural Crescent. We will be
monitoring the activities of our Board of Supervisors and Virginia legislators
and statewide officials and all of the agencies of government. When the
time comes again for us to exercise our electoral privileges we will make
sure that our leaders are those who understand the importance of balance.
All of our politicians must appreciate the fact that if the Rural Crescent
is compromised, the quality of life and the beauty of the Western Prince
William natural environment will be lost forever. The citizens must and
will demand that the Board of Supervisors uphold the Comprehensive Plan
as it directly protects the Rural Crescent from developer encroachment.
Please visit how Advocates for the Rural Crescent has been outspoken on
protecting our investments in the beauty of Western Prince William County.
The people possess the ultimate power and we must never become so complacent
that elected officials feel safe ignoring our outrage. ARC will can be
your conduit to making sure the voices of the people are heard.

Those of
you who wish to become an Advocate for the Rural Crescent need only visit
the RuralCrescent.ORG web site, or send a blank e-mail to:
Advocates-List-Subscribe@YahooGroups.COM

Together
we can save the Rural Crescent. We intend to be non-partisan watch dogs
that will bark at and bite both Republicans and Democrats who do not maintain
the commitment to the Rural Crescent. Please join this community-building
effort.